Seeing Ming Zhitian's anxious look as he held his child, the great lion was stunned and bewildered, as if the little lion were Ming Zhitian's own offspring.
Ming Zhitian searched several spots, and the great lion followed him around the cave. Only then did Ming Zhitian realize that the only exit had been blocked before he even entered.
Although the opening was narrow and the soil loose, making it potentially easy to dig through, it was too high to reach.
There was no other way. Ming Zhitian could endure hunger, but the gravely ill little lion could not wait.
Ming Zhitian quickly found several patches of loose soil, gently placed the little lion down, and then began to dig with all his might!
The great lion, witnessing this, could not fail to understand. It joined the excavation, finally comprehending the purpose of all the nonsense Ming Zhitian had spouted earlier.
With the great lion's help, progress was twice as fast! Even after Ming Zhitian put down the little lion as a shield, the great lion made no aggressive move, for it knew Ming Zhitian wanted to save its cub.
After an unknown amount of time, Ming Zhitian unleashed a punch, breaking through the last layer of soil and creating a hole.
Fresh air clearly circulated. Ming Zhitian rejoiced, then used his hands to push aside the dirt clods and poked his head out, his dirty face beaming, "We're out!"
Ming Zhitian hurried back to pick up the little lion. The great lion did not obstruct him, merely following behind.
Seeing the little lion on the verge of death, Ming Zhitian knew time was of the essence. He frantically searched for water, but in the northern desert, there was none, only wild trees, fruits, and grass.
Ming Zhitian gathered wild fruits, squeezed out their juice, and fed it to the little lion. This process repeated, back and forth, squeezing juice until late into the night.
The little lion coughed twice, waking from its sleep. Its belly was now full of fruit water, and it could drink no more.
Ming Zhitian, having toiled all day, was utterly exhausted. Fortunately, the little lion had received ample hydration, allowing it to dissipate heat, and by breathing in fresh air, its fever had broken. It was no longer in grave danger; he had saved a living soul.
The great lion happily licked its unharmed cub, then looked at the exhausted Ming Zhitian.
Ming Zhitian quickly waved his hands, "Don't eat me, I mean no harm."
The great lion, grateful for his saving its child, personally fetched a pile of wild fruits for Ming Zhitian to eat.
Ming Zhitian had gone days without a drop to drink. Now, eating the wild fruits to quench his thirst was like rain after a long drought.
The great lion then brought two wild wolves. Ming Zhitian, dragging his weary body, picked up two branches and began to frictionally ignite a fire.
Soon, a bonfire was lit, and a makeshift rack was set up to roast the wolves.
The great lion, meanwhile, bit and chewed raw wolf meat, feeding it piece by piece into the little lion's mouth.
Ming Zhitian said, "Isn't the little lion still supposed to be drinking milk? Where is its mother?"
The great lion didn't understand. Ming Zhitian resumed his charades, "Milking... giving birth... little lion successfully born..."
The great lion shook its head, indicating it didn't understand. Ming Zhitian sighed, "Communication is truly difficult."
After devouring an entire roasted wolf, Ming Zhitian's hunger was sated. Contentedly, he sprawled out on the desert like a starfish, not forgetting to check on the little lion to see if its fever had completely subsided. Yes, it was mostly gone.
Everyone was tired and fell asleep where they lay.
The next morning, Ming Zhitian woke up to find himself leaning against a massive mountain of flesh. Upon closer inspection, he saw soft yellow fur – it was the great lion!
Recalling the thrilling chase of the previous day sent a chill down his spine. He quickly got up.
At that moment, the great lion also opened its captivating feline eyes and looked at Ming Zhitian.
Ming Zhitian smiled faintly and greeted it, the past was too harrowing to recall. If he had been asleep soundly last night, he wouldn't have even known if he'd been eaten raw as sashimi. The thought sent shivers down his spine.
The little lion's fever had completely broken. It yawned, and the first thing it saw upon waking was Ming Zhitian. It then affectionately licked his face.
Ming Zhitian gently stroked its cute little head, "Little one, did you sleep well yesterday?"